Bending apparatus



2.141947- L.J .WHALEN I 2,414,681

BENDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 26; 1944 s Sheets-Sheet i INVENT v .MWMM

{earl er 14414 a.

Jan. 21, 1947. L. J. WHALEN BERDING APPARATUS V 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Filed Feb. 26, 1944 Jan. 21, 1947. J. W E 2,414,681 .BENDING APPARATUS.

' Filed Feb. 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 21, 1947 BENDING APPARATUS Lester J. Whalen, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application February 26, 1944, Serial No. 523,983

9 Claims.

This application relates to a bending apparatus. More specifically it relates to an apparatus for folding paper.

At the present time many blueprints are used that are so long that it is difiicult to fold them for easy handling. It has been proposed to provide them with so-called accordion folds, which involve one set of similar alternate bends and a second set of alternate bends reversed from the first set of bends. With this arrangement it is possible to open up the blueprint completely or to open up just the desired sections. By the present invention applicant has devised a novel bending or folding apparatus that is well suited to forming accordion folds in blueprints, although the apparatus may be also used for folding of other types and for other materials than blueprints.

Apart from the accordion folding of blueprints, it has been known to fold paper and other ma- "terials in many ways, but a drawback with certain schemes has been that, although the folding or creasing operation itself has been easy enough to perform, it has been difficult to make the sections of material at each side of one another keep their fold or even to stay folded to an angle of less than ninety degrees. For example, a blueprint might easily enough undergo accordion folding, but an operator might have to work independently of the machine to make the print stay folded.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved bending or folding apparatus. More particularly, it is a further object to provide a folding apparatus adapted to form accordion folds in a sheet such as a blueprint.

Another object is the provision of an improved bending or folding apparatus involving rotatable members. Applicant has discovered that by use of an apparatus including rotatable or rotary members a sheet of material may be run continuously through the apparatus, and the bends or folds may be alternately reversed from one another. The rotatable members may take the form of rolls.

Still another object is to associate a machine for folding sheets such as blueprints with a machine for working upon the sheets such as a blueprinting machine. Thus the sheets may run immediately from the sheet-working machine to the sheet-folding machine; It may be desirable to fold some of the sheets coming from the sheetworking machine and not to fold others, while passing the sheets through the sheet-foldingmachine in both instances.

Accordingly it is a still further object of the invention to provide a sheet-folding machine that may be conveniently adjusted between one condition in which it folds sheets and another condition in which sheets pass through it without being folded.

Other objects will appear from the disclosure.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the novel machine of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional viewtaken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are enlarged sectional views of the structure shown in Fig. 3 in successive stages;

Fig. '7 is a front sectional elevation of a portion of the novel apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the association of the bending apparatus of the present invention with a'blueprinting machine; and

Fig. 11 shows diagrammatically rolls embodying a modified form of the invention.

Reference character ll designates the novel bending apparatus of the present invention which, as shown in Fig. 1, includes an upper roll l2 and a lower roll I3. The rolls I2 and 13 are juxtaposed and carry gear segments [4 at opposite ends that mesh with one another so as to cause rotation of one roll in one direction to effect rotation of the other roll in the opposite direction. At opposite ends of the rolls I2 and 13 are positioned uprights l6 and I! which, as shown in Fig. 7, carry sleeves l8 and IQ for journalling bearings 20 at the ends of the upper roll 12. The lower roll l3 has a bearing 2| at its left end, as viewed in Fig. 7, journalled in a sleeve 22 mounted inan elongated slot 23 in the upright IT. The sleeve 22 has integral therewith, a depending rod 24 which extends along the inner side of the upright l1, and is engaged at its lower end by a cam 25 carried upon a rod 26. The right end of the roll [3, as viewed in Fig. '7, has an elongated bearing 21 journalled in a sleeve 28 positioned in an elongated slot 29 in the upright IS. The sleeve 28 has an integral rod-like extension 30 depending therefrom. The lower end of the extension 30 engages'a cam 3| formed on the rod 26. The rod 26 is journalled in be formed of-wo-o,d. previously referred to' as beingat the ends of'the described i later.

3 sleeves 32 mounted in the uprights l5 and IT. The right end of the rod 25, as viewed in Fig. 7, has an integral crank arm 53 by which the rod may be rocked. In the position of Fig. '7 the sleeves Z2 and 28 supporting the bearings 2i and 21 of the lower roll l3 are at the lower end of the slots 23 and 28 so that the rolls [2 and [3 are spaced somewhat from one another but the gears M on the rolls are kept in mesh. This is an inoperative position of the rolls. In an operative position the roll i3 is placed nearthe roll l2, as shown in Fig. '7, and this is accomplished by rocking of the rod zfi by means of the crank arm 53 so that the cams.25.an'd 3| are brought from the full line position of Fig. 9

shown for the cam 25 to the dash-dot position. Thisaction raises the rod extensions 24 and 30 on the sleeves 22 and 28, thereby raising'the lower roll I3 to operative position. The bearing A mating A spring 38 between the clutch members as shown in Fig. '7. A cam 58 is positioned between the clutchmemberand the upright Hi.

When the lower roll I3 is raised frornthe inoperativeposition of Fig. :7 to an operative position, the clutchmember '35. moves upwardly and --;outwardly-against the cam 59'against the action of the spring 38 into engagement with the clutch memberiifi, Thus when the roll I3 is in lowered inoperative position the clutch members 35 and edge of the block 49 by means of a rivet 5| head- -3fi1aredisengaged so that there is no driving of 1 .the rolls, but when" the roll i5 is moved upwardly to operative position the rolls are driven because ,-the clutch members :35 and 35 are forced into engagement with one another.

shown inFig. therolls l2 and i3 may The bearing members 25 r011 12 may be an integral part ofa rod extendi-ng through the rolll2. Similarly the bearhgmembers2l-and-2 at the ends ofthe roll is may" be an integral part of a rod ll! extending through the roll l3. A. blade-like element 42, ,yvhich may be of metal, extends almost the entire length of-the roll 55, being positioned in an undercut groove 43 and retained therein by wedge-shaped pieces 44. This may be seen more clearly'i-n'Fig. 6. As also shown in this figure,

anundercut groove 45, wedge-shaped elements 44, andconcave surfaces 45 at opposite sides of the projection-42.

At 180 away from the element 42 there is formed. in the roll [2 a recess 46 into which the -.element 42 of the-roll 53- may be inserted as will be'hereinafter more fully explained. The recess 46 isfcrmedof walls or side plates 41 and 48.

.These. sideplates 4? and 48 along with a block '49 rest in a rather deep recess in the roll [2. Th sideplates 4'! and 43 have, respectively, convex fianges 45 and 48 which overlie the adjacent portions of the roll l2 and the block 49 and provide convex surfaces for apurpose tobe The inner edges of the side I plates 4i and 48 are loosely pinned to the inner ed at both ends so that the side plates 41 and 35 and the block 49 are pivotally connected to one another. Fig. 4 shows just a single rivet 5| but it will be understood that there is a series of these rivets since the plates 47 and 48 and the block extend the length of the roll 12. Fig. 4'. also shows a coil spring '52 having one end abutting the side plate 4'7, passing through an opening 55 in the side plate 48, and having theother end abutting the bottom of a recess 54 in the'biock 45. Fig. 4 also shows a rivet 55 headed at both ends loosely tying the side plate .45 to the block 45 and a spring 56 surrounding 'therivet55 andresting at one end against the plate 48 and at the other end in the bottom of a recess 5? formed in the block 49. As in the case of-the rivet 5i, it will be understood that there is a plurality of springs 52 and 56 in a plurality of recesses54and5l since the side plates -13? and .48 and the block 45 extend the length of the roll i2. Secured to opposite endsof the block 59 away from oneanother. The rivet 55 limits the movement of the side plate Wand the block 49 away from one another. The lower roll j i3 has a recess 45 180 away from the bladelikerprojection ll on the. roll I3. It is formed of similar parts arrangedin a similar fashion to the recess 45 in the roll l2. Mounted upon, the

uprights i5 and H is a pair of actuators for the cams 58in the form of a pair of rollers 60, only .theJr-oller mounted upon the. upright 15 being shown. The rollers 55 arein position to engage --outer curved edgesfil of the cams 58 and thereby to cause the recess46 in the rolls l2 and I3 todecrease-inwidth. The rolls l2 and [-3 are so indexedwith respect to one another and are held in this. indexed relation by meshingof the gears M on the two rollswith one another, that .the projection 42 on the roll I3 is adapted to be .inserted in the recess-'45 of the roll-I2, and the projection 42 of the roll 12 is adapted tobe insorted in the recess 45 of the roll i3.

At the rear of the. machine, as viewed in Fig.

1, there are provided side pieces 6! secured to .the uprights t5 and IT. Between the pieces 6| extend a vertical board 62 and. a horizontal board 53. Therev is a space 64 between the boards 52 and53.

.In'operation, asheet of material 65 such as a Lblueprintis fed through the opening 64 along the board fidbetween the rolls I2 and i3. The

- rolls,..as indicated, are vsufliciently close to one another togrip the paper and-pull it between them as they rotate. Figs. 2 and 3 show the projection 42 of the roll l3 and the recess 46 of the roll l2 approaching .the point of tangency 01f the .rolls. .Inthi'sposition the walls 41 and- 48 of the tilproject somewhat'beyond the periphery of the roll [2. As the projection and the recess 46 -move .nearer the point of tangency, the cams 58 contact the rollers 59 before the projection 42 enters the recess-46. Since contact of the cams fore entry of the projection 42.

- 56, the plate 63 toward the plate 41, the space or 'into the closed recess 66 between the contacting plates 41 and it of roll I2. As the projection 42 forces its own way between the plates 41 and 43, it moves plate 53 away from the plate '41 toward the block 49 against the action of springs 56. In the position of Fig. the projection 420i roll I3 and the recess 46 of roll I2 are at the tangential portions of the rolls I2 and I3; and the projection t2 has entered the recess 42 as far as it can. In the position of Fig. 6, the projection 42 and the recess 46 have moved out of the point of tangency of the rolls, and the projection has withdrawn from the recess. The cams 58 are still in contact with the rollers I50, as indicated, and the wall 38 is thus urged back toward the wall 41 under the action of the springs 52 so that the regions of the paper adjacent the bend 67] are pressed against one another. Thereafter the earns 53 move out of contact with the rollers 60, and the wall 48 and the block 49 move away from the wall 4? under the action of the springs 52, thus opening up the recess it so that the part 65 of the sheet 65 moves out of the recess. It will be noted that in the position of Fig. 5, in which the projection 42 is within the recess tilt, the convex flanges W and 48 on the plates and 38 press regions 69 of the sheet be immediately adjacent the portion 66 Within the concave portions 45 of the roll I3 at the sides of the projection 42. This action prevents the formation of secondary bends at the regions 89.

After the portion I56 and the bend 5'! of the sheet 65 leaves the recess 45 in the roll I2, continued rotation of the rolls causes the sheet to be fed therebetween until after 180 of movement from engagement of the projection 42 of the roll I3 with the recess 46 of the roll I2, the projection 42 of the roll I2 engages the projection 46 of the roll I3 in the manner previously referred to. This causes the formation of a second bend 61 in the sheet 65 similar to the first bend except that it is reversed in direction. This process is continued and so the sheet is provided with a series of alternately reversed bends, as indicated in Fig, 1. sheet 65 as it comes from the rolls, with bends or creases formed therein alternately reversed so that the sheet is piled up in accordion style.

As previously stated the sheet 65 may be a blueprint and the apparatus I I may be placed adjacent a blueprint machine I0 so that as the blueprint leaves the machine 70 it passes directly to the apparatus II. The bending apparatus II may be driven from the blueprint machine ill by engagement of the belt 31 with a'pulley H connected to the blueprint machine. As previously stated, the belt 3? drives the apparatus I I through the clutch parts 35 and 36. The portion 65 of the sheet 65 inserted by the projection 42 in the recess 46 provides a sudden take-up of the sheet 65. Compensation is had for this by driving the apparatus I I at a slower rate than the machine II! or by providing an initial slack in the sheet 65 of suflicient magnitude that it may be taken up gradually throughout the entire passage of the sheet through the rolls I2 and I3. It will be appreciated that the blueprints to be folded by the apparatus II are gen- -eral1y of considerable length so that folding of the accordion type is desirable. At certain times A platform 69 supports the blueprints of rather short lengths may come from the blueprint machine 10 and for convenience these prints are also passed through the apparatus I I. If they are short enough in length to require folding of the type performed by the apparatus II, the rod 26 is rocked sufliciently to move the cams 25 from the dash-dot position of Fig. 9, to the full line position of that figure.

This action causes the lower r011 I3 to be lowered from the upper r011 I2, as indicated in Fig. 7, and the downward movement of the clutch 35 with respect to the cam 39, allows the clutch part 35 to be shifted sufiiciently for disengagement from the clutch part 36. Thus rotation of the rolls I2 and I3 is stopped. The blueprints are now passed through the space between the rolls I2 and I3 and sincethe rolls are not rotated, blueprints are not folded. The gears I4 interconnected with the rolls I2 and I3 stay in mesh, as indicated in Fig. 7, so that there is no disturbance of the relative angular positions of the rolls I2 and I3 that permits entry of the projections 42 within the recess 46. When finally the blueprints coming from the blueprint apparatus '20, are again to be folded, the rod 26 is rocked to move the cams 25 back to their original position and the roll I3 is moved upwardly to the roll I2 and the clutch part 35 is re-engaged with the clutch part 36.

A very important feature of the present invention isthe fact that after each bend in the sheet is formed, the portions immediately adjacent the bend are pressed against one another so that the resultant bend or crease is effective to relate the sections of the sheet betweenthe bends in such a fashion that the sheet piles easily in the accordion fashion shown in Fig. 1. As will be observed from this'figure, the relative angle of the sections between the bends is considerably less than the right angle. If the portions adjacent the bend were not pressed against one another after the formation of the bend, the relative angle between the sections might well be greater than the right angle, in which case the sheet would not pile as indicated. The method by which this is accomplished is shown and has been described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. V

Rolls I2 and I3 each have one recess 46 and one projection 42. Obviously the rolls may have more projections and recesses. Rolls I2 and I3 of Fig. 11, for example, each have two projections 42 and two recesses 46. This may be varied as desired.

The drawings show rolls I2 and I3 and rolls 12 and I3, but other types of rotatable members may be employed in their stead.

The intention is to limit the invention only within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for providing a bend in a sheet, comprising a pair of rotatable members, one having a Projection and the other having a recess formed of a first Wall and a second wall, a member on the outer side of the first wall, means loosely tying the member to the first wall and causing the first wall to move away from the second wall after a predetermined movement of the member away from the walls, a first resilient means acting between the second wall and the member to urge the member away from the second wall, a second resilient means acting between the first wall and the member to urge the first wall away from the member toward the second wall, means for applying force to move,

forming the bendin'the said partv=of the sheet,

' means for withdrawing the projection: from the walls of the recess thereby to, permit the firstzwall .under the action of the second resil-ientmeans and the member to move'back toward the, sec- -.ond'=wa1l for pressing the; portions of the'sheet adjacent the bend against one another, and

means for causing'the fcrcesapplied to the member to be removed'and therewith to cause the first resilient means to movethe'member and with it'the first wallunder the action of the tying means away from the second wall for releasingthe said part of the'sheet from the recess.

2. Apparatusfor providing a bend in a sheet, comprising a pair of rotatable members, one=having-a projection and the other having a-recess formed of a first wall and a second wall, a member on the outer side of the first wall, a rivet headed at both ends loosely tying the member to the first wall and causing the first wall to move away from the second wall after a predetermined movement of the member away from the walls, a

first spring surrounding the rivet and seated in a recess in the member at the side toward the first wall and acting between the bottom of the recess and the first wall to urge the first wall away fromthe member toward the second wall, a second spring seated in a recess in the member and passing through the first wall into contact withthe second wall and acting between the second wall and the bottom of the recess to urge the member away from the second wall, means for applying force to move, against the action of the second spring the member toward the walls and therewith under the action .ofvthe first spring, the first wall toward the projection and the sec- .ondwall, means for rotating therotatable members to feed the sheet between them and to cause the projection to pry apartrthe walls and to introduce a part of the sheet between the Walls of the recess for forming the bend in the said part of the sheet, means for withdrawing theprojection.'from the walls ofthe recess thereby to permit the firstwall under the action of the first spring and the member tomove I back toward the second wall for pressing'the jportions of the sheet adjacent the bend against one another, and meansfor causing the force applied to the member to be removed and therewith to cause the second spring to move:the member'and with it the first wall under the action of the tying means away from the second wall for'releasinglthe'lsaid part of the sheet from the recess.

3. Apparatus for providing a bend in=a sheet, comprising a pair of juxtaposed rotatable members, one having a recess-and the other having a projection, means for rotatingthe rotatable members to feed the sheet between the rotatable members and to cause the projection to insert a part of the sheet in the recess for forming the bend in the said part of the sheet, means for simultaneously increasing the spacing of the rotatable members and stopping the rotation thereof to cause the sheet to be passed between the rotatable members freely without feeding engagement, and means interconnecting'the rotatable members for causing rotation of one rtatable member in one direction to rotate the Kant-4,6817

other rrotatable member inthe opposite direc- --tion, said means being effective upon increasing the spacingof the rotatable members as aforesaid to maintain the interconnection of the rotatable members for causing the projection and'the're- .cessto interengage' properly upon return of the rotatable members to feeding position.

4. The apparatus specified in claim 3, the 7 means interconnecting the rotatable members comprising a pair of gears meshing with one another and having teeth of sufiicient length to maintain mesh of the gears'upon increasing of thespacing betweenthe rotatable members for assuring reengagement of the projection and the recessupon return of the rotatable members-to feeding position.

5. Apparatus for providing in a sheetafirst bend-and a second bend reversed from the-first bend, comprising a pair of juxtaposed rolls each having a projection and a recess formed of'a-pair of spaced walls, a first adjusting means for causing the spacing of the walls of the recess. in the said other roll to decrease, means forrotating 'the rolls to feed the sheet between them and to cause the projection of the said one roll to pry apart the walls of the recess in the said other roll and to introduce therein a part of the sheet for forming the first bend in the said part of the sheet, the said roll-rotating means causing the projection of the said one roll towithdraw from the recess in the said other roll whereupon the first wall-adjusting means again decreases the spacing of the walls of the recess in the said other roll to press the portionsof the sheet adjacent the first bendlagainst one another and then increases the wall spacing to release the said-first bend from the said other roll, a second adjusting means for. causing the spacing of the walls of the recessin thesaid one roll to decrease,..the said roll-rotating meanscausing the projection of the said other roll to pry apart thev walls of the recess of the-said one roll and to introduce therein another part of the sheet for forming the second bend in the said other.v part of the fsheet,,the said roll-rotating. means causingthe projection of the said other roll to withdraw from the recess as the said one roll whereupon the .second wall-adjusting means again decreases the spacing of the walls of the recess in .the said one roll to press the portions of the sheet adjacent the second bend against one another and increase the wall spacing to release the said second bend from the said one roll, means for simultaneously increasing the spacing of the rolls and stopping the rotation thereof to cause the sheet to be passed between the rolls freely without'feeding engagement, and means interconnecting the rolls for causing rotation of one roll in onedirection to rotate the other roll in the oppositedirection,

isaidmeans being effective upon increasing the spacing of the rolls as aforesaid to maintain the 'interconnectionof the; rolls for'causing the projection and the recess to interengage properly upon" return oftthe rollstofeeding position, the

means interconnecting the rolls comprising a pair 1 10f gears'meshing with one another and having teeth "of sufficient length to maintainnmesh" of the gears upon increasing of the spacingbetween the rolls forassuring reengagementof the projectioniandtherecess upon' return of the rolls to feedingposition.

'6. Apparatus forfprovidinga bend in a-sheet, comprisin a' pair of juxtaposed rotatable members, :one rotatable member having a projection and" t'he other rotatable member havinga recess formed of walls movable toward and away from one another, the rotatable members being so indexed with respect to one another as to cause the projection to enter and to withdraw from the recess during rotation of the members, means for rotating the rotatable members to feed the sheet between them and for causing the entry of the projection in the recess to insert a part of the sheet in the recess to form the bend in the said part, and means for causing the walls of the recess to be moved into contact with one another before entry of the projection in the recess for causing the insertion of the sheet in the recess to force apart the walls thereof for insuring a more satisfactory bend in the sheet.

7. Apparatus for providing a bend in a sheet comprising a pair of juxtaposed rotatable members, one rotatable member having a projection and the other rotatable member having a recess formed of walls movable toward and away from one another, the rotatable members being so indexed with respect to one another as to cause the projection to enter and to withdraw from the recess during rotation of the members, and means for rotating the rotatable members to feed the sheet between them and for causing the entry of the projection in the recess to insert a part of the sheet in the recess to form the bend in the said part, the spacing of the walls of the recess on entry of the projection therein being less than the thickness of the projection for causing insertion of the sheet and the projection in the reces to force apart the walls thereof thereby insuring a more satisfactory bend in the sheet.

8. Apparatus for providing a bend in a sheet,

comprising a pair of juxtaposed rotatable members, one rotatable member having a projection and the other rotatable member having a recess formed of walls movable toward and away from one another, the rotatable members being so indexed with respect to one another as to cause the projection to enter and to withdraw from the recess during rotation of the members, means for rotating the rotatable members to feed the sheet between them and for causing the entry of 10 the projection in the recess to insert a part of the sheet in the recess to form the bend in said part, means for causing the walls of the recess to be moved into contact With one another before entry of the projection in the recess for causing the insertion of the sheet in the recess to force apart the walls thereof for insuring a more satisfactory bend in the sheet, and mean for causing the last mentioned means to function after withdrawal of the projection from the recess for pressing the portions of the sheet adjacent the bend against one another.

9. Apparatus for providing a bend in a sheet, comprising a pair of juxtaposed rotatable members, one rotatable member having a projection and the other rotatable member having a recess formed of walls movable toward and away from one another, the rotatable members being so indexed with respect to one another as to cause the projection to enter and to withdraw from the recess during rotation of the members, means for rotating the rotatable members to feed the sheet between them and for causin the entry of the projection in the recess to insert a part of the sheet in the recess to form the bend in the said part, resilient means for urging the walls apart, a follower, a cam resiliently connected with one wall and rotatable with the rotatable member having the recess so as to engage the follower before entry of the projection in the recess for resiliently urging the said one wall toward the other wall before entry of the projection in the recess and to become disengaged from the follower a short time after withdrawal of the projection from the recess, whereby the projection inserts a part of the sheet in the recess while forcing the walls of the recess apart for insuring an improved bend in the sheet and after withdrawal of the projection the walls of the recess move back toward one another to press the portions of the said part of the sheet adjacent the bend against one another and a short time later move apart to release the said part of the sheet.

LESTER J. WHALEN. 

